Originally written by Morris Goldwater and edited by Parker Anderson

Editor's note: On June 23, 1891, at the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Aztlan Lodge in Prescott, Morris Goldwater (1852-1939) delivered a lengthy address on the history of Freemasonry in Arizona. While he spoke of many of the lodges in the Arizona Territory, the following extracts from his speech deal with the Prescott Lodge, the first in the territory.

"The first mention I can find of an effort to start a lodge is in a letter written by our lately deceased brother, Alexander G. Abell, very worshipful grand secretary of the Grand Lodge of California. It is dated July 29, 1864, and is in reply to a letter written by Brother John Howard, now mayor of our city. In order to insure its delivery, it was addressed to Fort Whipple.

The contents indicate the writer's willingness to do all in his power to help the brethren of Prescott form a lodge. To those who knew Brother Abell, I need not say how much Aztlan Lodge and perhaps every other lodge on the Pacific slope is indebted to him for gratuitous advice and service. For 36 years, he served continuously as secretary of the Grand Lodge of California, and for ability, accuracy, and knowledge of Masonic law and ritual, he was the peer of any member of the craft.

"The first recorded minutes of a meeting are without date. It was in the year 1864. The secretary, who was Lieut. Charles Curtis of the U.S. Army, with what was perhaps an excess of zeal, left unwritten many items, which would today be of great value to us. The meeting was held at the house of John N. Goodwin, then governor of the Territory, and is the log building now owned by and the home of Judge H.W. Fleury. (Editor's note: This is the Governor's Mansion at the Sharlot Hall Museum.)

"Brother Goodwin presided at the meeting and, after satisfying themselves that all present were masters, it was resolved to apply to the Grand Lodge of California for a dispensation to open a lodge at Prescott. The name selected was Aztlan, and Brother John T. Alsop was chosen as the first master, Brother Joseph Ehle was named as senior warden, and Brother H. Brooks as junior warden. This petition was signed by nine master Masons. Of the signers, some we know are dead. Brothers Brooks and Ehle are still with us, and of the others all traces are lost. It being necessary to have a recommendation from the nearest lodge, Brother Joseph Lennon was selected to carry the petition to Santa Fe and procure from the lodge there the proper endorsement. At the next meeting, which likewise has no date on the records, the sum of three hundred dollars was subscribed with which to furnish a hall. The place chosen was not named, but Brothers Brooks and Ehle inform us it was in an attic over what is now known as Fitz Jason's Saloon, and then as now owned by Mr. Levi Bashford.

"On the return of Brother Lennon from Santa Fe with the necessary recommendation, Brother John N. Goodwin was chosen to present the petition to the grand master of California. Brother Goodwin presented the petition on April 23, 1865, and the dispensation prayed for was granted. Owing to the inability of Brother Ehle to procure a demit (resignation) from his lodge, Brother Brooks was named senior warden and Brother Herbert Bowers was chosen as junior.

"In one of Brother Abell's letters written at this time, I note as indicative of the hardships of the day the following sentence, 'As the war is now over, there will be no difficulty in your members communicating with their several mother lodges and procuring their demits.'

"The lodge, on the 23rd of July 1865, was duly opened, and begun work. On Oct. 12, 1865, the M. W. Grand Lodge was pleased to continue the dispensation in force until the annual meeting of 1866.

"The regular meeting night was set for the last Saturday night of each month and has so remained until the present time, and it is pleasing to note that the lodge during its 25 years of life has never failed to hold its monthly session."

In Part 2, Morris continues his speech about the first 25 years of the Aztlan Lodge.

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Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number:(po0792pa) Reuse only by permission.
Morris Goldwater, uncle of Barry M. Goldwater, moved to Prescott and opened M. Goldwater & Bros. Mercantile on Cortez Street in 1876 with brothers Henry and Baron. He was several times elected mayor of Prescott, serving a total of 20 years, active in state politics and statewide Freemasonry as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Arizona.